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Thursday, September 17, 2009

With 11-day motorcycling tour in Ho Chi Minh trail in total 18 day trip from Hanoi to Saigon, Active Travel Asia show the exotic land where many American soldiers lost their lives, and those who survived often lost their spirit in the past.

THE LEGENDARY Ho Chi Minh Trail was the supply line used by North Vietnam to link North and South Vietnam during the American War. Soldiers, ammunition, and supplies were carried by hand, bicycle and truck for hundreds of kilometers through the otherwise impenetrable jungle that covered Vietnam's mountainous border with Laos. A testimony to the ingenuity, fortitude and commitment of the northern Vietnamese, the trail slipped from use at the end of the war and was taken back by the jungle.

Recent road work that follows original sections of the trail has changed this.Besides incredible driving, deep in the Vietnamese countryside, this ride takes in the charming ancient trading town of Hoi An, Khe Sanh battle site and DMZ. Travelers also take time to stay overnight in a traditional Thai hill tribe and visit to some tribal villages on the way.Start this trip in Hanoi, travelers have Hanoi city tour to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the "Uncle Ho" house and other famous sight-seeings and a relaxing cyclo tour through the ancient part of Hanoi.Next day, travelers take a short bus drive the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum on the outskirts of Hanoi.

After the visit to the museum travelers will jump on our Minsk and spend sometime to get familiar with the bikes. Crossing two short mountain passes then descent to the mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau, travelers will have dinner and overnight in a stilt house of the Thai people.Next day, travelers then head South on a beautiful winding road which follow the banks of the Ma River. After some hours riding on undulating quiet road, travelers join the new Ho Chi Minh Highway. This newly carved route leads us due south, through remote back country, not far from the Laos border. In the afternoon, travelers cut eastward towards the coast and stay overnight in the peaceful city of Vinh.

The next morning, travelers head inland towards the Laos border after 40mins riding travelers can reach the birthplace of Ho Chi Minh in Kim Lien Village. The place is truly a shrine to the Vietnamese and visited by few westerners.Travelers continue on the quiet highway to Dong Loc Intersection which is widely regarded in Vietnamese eyes as the beginning of Ho Chi Minh Trail. Travelers then pass through remote back country, close to the border, as the scenery steadily becomes dominated by Karst limestone rock formations. Travelers will reach our overnight spot, Huong Khe Town.Next day, travelers will arrive in Phong Nha around noon, board a dragon boat to explore the famous Nature World Heritage Site of Phong Nha cave, then riding 30km eastward to the costal town of Dong Hoi, an overnight spot.Next day's ride is also on the new, quiet highway. Along the way, travelers will have a short stop at Truong Son National Cemetery to pay respect to the soldiers who fought and died on the trail during the American War. After here, travelers head to Dong Ha Town passing Ben Tat Bridge, built by the VC over the Ben Hai River.

Arriving in Dong Ha, travelers will check into the hotel, have lunch and then drive to the mystic Vinh Moc Tunnel and the famous DMZ, Doc Mieu fire base and the historic Hien Luong Bridge in the afternoon.Next day, continuing West on Highway 9, travelers will climb into the Truong Son foothills. About 16km from Khe Sanh is the Dakrong Bridges and the road turns winding and narrow. A bit further, travelers will come to Huang Hoa, once known as Khe Sanh Base, which was established as a forward base by General Westmoreland near Laos to secure Highway 9. About 3km from Khe Sanh is Ta Con Airbase.Lunch in Khe Sanh and then head out across the famous Dakrong River Bridge on Rte. 14 near the town of Ta Rut, travelers will stop for a visit with the Pa Co people and a walk through their village.Next day's riding is the best riding of the whole route. For the first 110 km, travelers cross one of the longest and most stunning pass on new and quiet road, through stunning scenery of primitive forests backed by the imposing Truong Son mountain range. There are also two long tunnels and very little traffic. The next 68 km from Hien to Thanh My are on good road with some gentle climbs.

Travelers will have a relax day in Hoi An town - the ancient Quarter famed by its important trading ports in Southeast Asia. After one night-staying here, travelers will be transferred to Da Nang and end the interesting trip.